The British Empire lasted over a century, becoming the largest the world has ever seen. While the empire diminished after World War II, part of it could still be seen in a somewhat hidden location in West Seattle on May 10th. The Daughters of the British Empire , known as the D.B. E held their annual English High Tea at the Village Green Nursery near White Center. The event was a fundraiser for the organization's group homes for it's elderly members. The D.B.E. has four such homes around the nation.

Membership is open to women in the United States who are of British or Commonwealth birth or who are married to men who meet those criteria. More than 5000 women nationwide belong to the D.B.E.

The D.B. E , was founded in 1909 (the Washingont chapter in 1911) at least in part to care for women who originally emigrated as nannies, but they have a place for men too. They're known jokingly as S.O.B's or Son's of Britain.

Local artists from around the area were featured, selling purses, jewelry, artwork and crafts with part of their proceeds going to support the organization.

The sun may have set on much of what Great Britain used to control but the Daughters of the British Empire still demonstrate that the spirit of caring for their own is still very much in bloom.

To learn more about the Daughters of the British Empire visit their website at www.dbesociety.org. You can also learn more about the Village Green Nursery by looking at it's site at www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com.